Israeli ground forces pushed deeper into Gaza on Monday (October 30), advancing in tanks and other armoured vehicles on the territory’s main city and freeing a soldier held captive by Hamas militants. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected calls for a ceasefire, even as airstrikes landed near hospitals where thousands of Palestinians are sheltering beside the wounded. The military said a female soldier captured during Hamas’s brutal October 7 incursion was rescued in Gaza — the first since the weekslong war began. It provided few details, but said in a statement that Pvt Ori Megidish was “doing well” and had met with her family. Netanyahu welcomed her home, saying the “achievement” by Israel's security forces “illustrates our commitment to free all the hostages”. He also rejected calls for a cease-fire to facilitate the release of captives or end the war, which he has said will be long and difficult. “Calls for a cease-fire are calls for Israel to surrender to Hamas,” he told a press conference. “That will not happen.” He also said he has no plans to resign in the face of mounting anger over the failure of Israel’s vaunted security forces to prevent the worst surprise attack on the country in a half century. Hamas and other militant groups are believed to be holding some 240 captives, including men, women and children. Netanyahu has faced mounting pressure to secure their release even as Israel wages a punishing war it says is aimed at crushing Hamas and ending its 16-year rule over the territory. Hamas, which has released four hostages, has said it would let the others go in return for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, including many implicated in deadly attacks on Israelis. Israel has dismissed the offer, and Netanyahu said the ground invasion “creates the possibility” of getting the hostages out, adding that Hamas will “only do it under pressure”. Hamas released a short video Monday purporting to show three other female captives. One of the women delivers a brief statement — likely under duress — criticizing Israel’s response to the hostage crisis. It was not clear when the Hamas video was made. The military has been vague about its operations inside Gaza, including the location and number of troops. Israel has declared a new “phase” in the war but stopped short of declaring an all-out ground invasion, even as it has deployed tens of thousands of troops to the border. (With agency inputs) Read more about the Israel-Gaza conflict:Israel, Hamas have warred 6 times before; what's different now?Why is Jerusalem key to both Judaism and Islam?Explained | Israel’s no-bargaining policy: How effective has it been?Explainer: What happened on October 6, 1973? What's its link to Hamas' onslaught?Explained: Why is Hamas fighting Israel? What is Hezbollah that joined attack?Explained: What's Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system which intercepted Hamas rockets?Follow our Live updates of the war:
Israeli ground forces pushed deeper into Gaza on Monday (October 30), advancing in tanks and other armoured vehicles on the territory’s main city and freeing a soldier held captive by Hamas militants. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected calls for a ceasefire, even as airstrikes landed near hospitals where thousands of Palestinians are sheltering beside the wounded. The military said a female soldier captured during Hamas’s brutal October 7 incursion was rescued in Gaza — the first since the weekslong war began. It provided few details, but said in a statement that Pvt Ori Megidish was “doing well” and had met with her family. Netanyahu welcomed her home, saying the “achievement” by Israel's security forces “illustrates our commitment to free all the hostages”. He also rejected calls for a cease-fire to facilitate the release of captives or end the war, which he has said will be long and difficult. “Calls for a cease-fire are calls for Israel to surrender to Hamas,” he told a press conference. “That will not happen.” He also said he has no plans to resign in the face of mounting anger over the failure of Israel’s vaunted security forces to prevent the worst surprise attack on the country in a half century. Hamas and other militant groups are believed to be holding some 240 captives, including men, women and children. Netanyahu has faced mounting pressure to secure their release even as Israel wages a punishing war it says is aimed at crushing Hamas and ending its 16-year rule over the territory. Hamas, which has released four hostages, has said it would let the others go in return for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, including many implicated in deadly attacks on Israelis. Israel has dismissed the offer, and Netanyahu said the ground invasion “creates the possibility” of getting the hostages out, adding that Hamas will “only do it under pressure”. Hamas released a short video Monday purporting to show three other female captives. One of the women delivers a brief statement — likely under duress — criticizing Israel’s response to the hostage crisis. It was not clear when the Hamas video was made. The military has been vague about its operations inside Gaza, including the location and number of troops. Israel has declared a new “phase” in the war but stopped short of declaring an all-out ground invasion, even as it has deployed tens of thousands of troops to the border. (With agency inputs) Read more about the Israel-Gaza conflict:Israel, Hamas have warred 6 times before; what's different now?Why is Jerusalem key to both Judaism and Islam?Explained | Israel’s no-bargaining policy: How effective has it been?Explainer: What happened on October 6, 1973? What's its link to Hamas' onslaught?Explained: Why is Hamas fighting Israel? What is Hezbollah that joined attack?Explained: What's Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system which intercepted Hamas rockets?Follow our Live updates of the war: